You'll find it set back from rue Raynouard at number 47 in the village of Passy (Metro:Passy) 75016. It's about two steps from the Eiffel Tower yet has a country feel in the middle of Paris. Oh and it's free.

Balzac's writing room with his original writing desk. Each room has a specific theme with bilingual commentary.

Many, many sculptures, busts and portraits of Balzac and family members. Did Balzac ever uncross his arms?

Quotations everywhere, many from the letters of Madame Hanska, Balzac's wife of a mere 5 months but devoted correspondent of over 20 years. Evidently Balzac worked nonstop. This one says, "To work, I get up every night at midnight, write for 8 hours, lunch for a quarter of an hour, work another 5 hours, eat diner, then go to bed and begin again the day after".

Paris has at least a dozen free museums like the Maison de Balzac. Many of them as intimate and charming as the Balzac and every one offers guides to the others like Victor Hugo's home or the Cognacq-Jay. I usually bypass these for the bigger shows but this time I'd like to hit as many as possible. Pourquoi pas?

Bonjour Carol. Looks like *someone* is enjoying her stay in Paris! Thank you for taking us to le Musée Balzac. I had never been there. I would love getting my hands on that small dog from the toy store, for my collection. Très mignon! Bon séjour à Paris et bonnes visites... Veronique (French Girl in Paris)

The dollhouse tableaux in the vitrine Veronique is probably sold ensemble rather than piece by piece since it was really an antique shop per seAux présents du passé50, rue de l'assomption 75016 tel: 01 42 24 06 08

I love your photos of Paris in the rain. Sad to say, I've never read Balzac and I get him confused with Victor Hugo...another writer I've never gone out of my way to read. But I like the Balzac museum -- it looks like a nice quiet place to spend a Sunday afternoon and your observation that sadly, there is no substantial gift shop there made me laugh. (Because I do judge a museum by its gift shop. True story. And the British Museum is the BEST.)

Hi Carol, I enjoy your blog every day but only rarely add a comment. Was glad to see a post about La Maison de Balzac--there are so many wonderful and interesting places off the beaten path in Paris. In your quest to visit the smaller ones, may I suggest Le Musée national Gustave-Moreau in the 9ème - 14, rue de la Rochefoucauld, if you haven't been already? Living vicariously through you--Paris me manque beaucoup!Lane

There is so much to see in Paris indeed. I've been to the Musee Victor Hugo, but not to Maison de Balzac. It looks wonderful, I'll add it to my ever expanding wishlist. Actually I need to read some of these writers too. Planning on reading VH later in the year during my Paris holiday (The Hunchback of Notre Dame).

Carol,The statue of Balzac on rue Vavin has always been a favorite for me. One year when I went to look at it I couldn't find it! I felt disoriented and walked several blocks in each direction muttering to myself and feeling confused. Surely I couldn't have forgotten where it was? Turns out the city had removed it for cleaning and repair. It was back the next year.

According to the quote, the guy wrote 13 hours a day! No wonder he didn't have time to get dressed! Lovely post. We'll revisit the museum, but I remember liking it from an earlier visit. Your sketchbook pages are marvelous.

Here is another free museum and a good one:Musée de la Vie Romantique. If you have not visited, I urge you to go. This museum is located at the bottom of Montmartre (about 4 blocks from the Moulin Rouge) in the Scheffer-Renan mansion. Scheffer's painting studio is intact.

Have never been to the Musee Balzac but it is on my list of things to do! Merci pour la visite. I was at the Musee Bourdelle last thursday which I had never visited either... after all these years!It was beautiful, especially the Atelier. Bises

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Hi I'm Carol Gillott,
My Mom taught me watercolors at 5 and I'm still at it. Now I live by the Seine on l'Ile Saint-Louis. Do consider subscribing to my Paris letters and maps on Etsy and enjoy a taste of Paris in your mailbox every month to savor with a hot chocolate and croissant. I paint Paris dreams.